September 14, 2008

Worthy Women/Model Mothers

Mall watchers.

You know their kind, right? People who either sit on a mall bench or stand lurking in a hidden corner to watch the comings and goings of the strangers that come from all walks of life to congregate at the mall.

Maybe you've felt their eyes on you at some point. Or, maybe you've been one yourself, even if just momentarily.

Hey, no judgment here! I know the feeling of wanting to observe other's lives and perhaps pick up a tip on how to dress, how to style your hair, or how not to berate your children in public. Or anywhere for that matter. Sure, I understand completely. Problem is, I'm more of a people watcher, and malls are not my only stalking grounds.

I know...terrible. Creepy lurking weirdo. Let me explain....!

I have a fascination with people, to know them, to understand them, to learn from them, to feel a connection with them. No group of people fascinate me more than women. Their ability to love and lead, serve and seduce, succor and secure seems a certain dichotomy and yet they master the union of their sensitivity and their strength with such grace and beauty. Their strength and beauty is most brilliantly observed in the sometimes unglamorous moments of life, in the steaming cauldrons of testing and overwhelming circumstances. No woman is without such moments, however strong or perfect they seem. To me, it is knowing of or observing those moments in another woman's life that offer a window to increased wisdom and dignity in my own.

I have been blessed to know such exemplary women in my life, worthy women or model mothers that embody such characteristics. Through observing their lives, their ups and downs, listening to their stories, I have gained perspective and have been spared many of their lowest days by learning from their own journeys.

These women are my friends, my family members, my childhood playmates, my neighbors, and some are just precious souls I was granted a special privilege to have crossed paths with for the briefest of moments. Each of them has left an imprint on my life and as I continue to reflect on their examples, I am energized to recommit to living a more worthy life myself, as a woman, as a wife, as a mother, as a friend.

As I write about these women and models in the upcoming months, my desire is to preserve their stories for my own benefit. My hope is that their lives might also serve as inspiration to you, whoever you might be, my friends, my family, or just some creepy blog lurker. ;o)ps If you know of a woman who has served as inspiration to you and you feel her story might provide the same for others, please share with me her story so I can consider it for a future post! (Sarah, how's that for an desperate attempt at more comments?! ;o)

Comments

Worthy Women/Model Mothers

Mall watchers.

You know their kind, right? People who either sit on a mall bench or stand lurking in a hidden corner to watch the comings and goings of the strangers that come from all walks of life to congregate at the mall.

Maybe you've felt their eyes on you at some point. Or, maybe you've been one yourself, even if just momentarily.

Hey, no judgment here! I know the feeling of wanting to observe other's lives and perhaps pick up a tip on how to dress, how to style your hair, or how not to berate your children in public. Or anywhere for that matter. Sure, I understand completely. Problem is, I'm more of a people watcher, and malls are not my only stalking grounds.

I know...terrible. Creepy lurking weirdo. Let me explain....!

I have a fascination with people, to know them, to understand them, to learn from them, to feel a connection with them. No group of people fascinate me more than women. Their ability to love and lead, serve and seduce, succor and secure seems a certain dichotomy and yet they master the union of their sensitivity and their strength with such grace and beauty. Their strength and beauty is most brilliantly observed in the sometimes unglamorous moments of life, in the steaming cauldrons of testing and overwhelming circumstances. No woman is without such moments, however strong or perfect they seem. To me, it is knowing of or observing those moments in another woman's life that offer a window to increased wisdom and dignity in my own.

I have been blessed to know such exemplary women in my life, worthy women or model mothers that embody such characteristics. Through observing their lives, their ups and downs, listening to their stories, I have gained perspective and have been spared many of their lowest days by learning from their own journeys.

These women are my friends, my family members, my childhood playmates, my neighbors, and some are just precious souls I was granted a special privilege to have crossed paths with for the briefest of moments. Each of them has left an imprint on my life and as I continue to reflect on their examples, I am energized to recommit to living a more worthy life myself, as a woman, as a wife, as a mother, as a friend.

As I write about these women and models in the upcoming months, my desire is to preserve their stories for my own benefit. My hope is that their lives might also serve as inspiration to you, whoever you might be, my friends, my family, or just some creepy blog lurker. ;o)ps If you know of a woman who has served as inspiration to you and you feel her story might provide the same for others, please share with me her story so I can consider it for a future post! (Sarah, how's that for an desperate attempt at more comments?! ;o)